Waltham High alum Junior Chery back on Bentley football field

Thursday

Aug 21, 2014 at 12:56 PMAug 21, 2014 at 12:56 PM

By Scott Souzassouza@wickedlocal.com

WALTHAM Ė Junior Chery was seemingly in the perfect position to make a big impact in football at the collegiate level right around the corner from where he grew up playing the sport.The former Waltham High star running back and defensive back was a prized recruit of his hometown Bentley University. There were spots open in the defensive backfield following the graduation of a veteran crew that included former Waltham High standouts Don Hopkins and Steve Hopkins. Chery was ready to seize that opportunity when he took the field for the very first conditioning practice of training camp last August."I was running the 300(-meter) conditioning test," he recalled. "When I went to turn, my knee kind of twisted. I felt a sharp pain, tumbled to the ground. It was torn from there."Chery said he didnít think he had ripped the anterior cruciate ligament that day as he stood on the sideline. But when it swelled up the next morning he went for an MRI that revealed the extent of the injury."It was pretty devastating," he said, "not being able to show my talents. First day of camp, you want to get out and prove yourself. But then an unfortunate situation happened. Iíd had no prior injuries. That was the freaky part. Iím just running a simple conditioning test. Then, boom, the seasonís done."It was tough standing on the sideline. But it humbled me and made me hungrier. Now Iím just happy to be on the field this year."Chery said he worked extensively with Bentley head athletic trainer Brooks Farry after his surgery on Sept. 17 and used the time off to build upper-body strength while working his knee back into playing shape in time for spring practice.When Keith LeVan Ė a fellow Waltham High alum and assistant football coach who was Cheryís offensive coordinator his senior year with the Hawks Ė joined new Bentley coach Bill Kavanaughís staff as quarterbacks coach in February, he said he was amazed at how Chery looked just over four months removed from surgery."I got to see him in the winter workouts and he looked outstanding," LeVan said. "I was actually surprised how good he looked after tearing his ACL just the fall before that in camp. Obviously, heís maturing physically. Heís working really hard in the weight room. Heís coming along."Still, the process of returning from an ACL tear is stop-and-go for nearly any athlete. While Chery was cleared for spring practice, and said he felt physically ready, he suffered a bit of a setback when he took another tumble on the knee and was forced out of the final days of the offseason training."They kind of made me sit down just to be safe," he said. "The biggest hurdle is the confidence and trusting your knee."The first day I came out (this preseason) I was pretty confident because I had been doing drills with Brooks, running around and cutting. Iíd gotten pretty confident with my brace and everything."Kavanaugh said he could already see the difference in his young defensive back as the Falcons took part in their first day in full pads during a double-session workout on Tuesday."Phenomenal kid who came out ready to go," the coach said. "He looked good and worked hard. It takes those guys a little while to get comfortable. Thatís what heís doing now. Heís working every day. He keeps his mouth closed, and just goes out there and tries to get better."When you come back (from a torn ACL), everybodyís confidence comes back at a different time. The doctors may tell you youíre ready, that the leg is strong enough, but you see it click for different guys at different times. He goes out there now and looks very comfortable."Chery said he's been told heíll likely be at strong safety and special teams in his red-shirt freshman year and is looking forward to contributing to the Falcons in any way possible after a year away from the game."Itís exciting," he said. "I havenít played football for more than a year. Itís the sport I love. So it was very exciting to get back out there and just run around. I donít really care what string I am as long as Iím on the field being able to run and being healthy."Chery said heís been out on defense at ĎThe Hawkí position calling formations. Ironically, itís his former offensive coordinator when he was such a force with the Waltham High Hawks who now looks at Chery a bit differently when he sees him line up in that spot on the defense."I donít like it all the time now because heís on the other side of the ball," LeVan said. "Heís always back there moving around. I tell my quarterbacks not to get a read off him because heís going to lie to you every time."Once the games start for real on Sept. 6, Chery hopes it is opposing quarterback coaches he gives fits as he finally gets a chance to take the field for his hometown college team."Hopefully, Iíll see a few familiar faces in the crowd," he said. "If I can get on the field in special teams this year Iíll be happy."Iím just glad to be back."Scott Souza can be reached at 781-398-8006 or ssouza@wickedlocal.com.